How Can I Get a Government Laptop?

If you're in the market for a new laptop, you may be wondering if there's a way to get your hands on a government-issued one. Believe it or not, there is! In this post, we'll walk you through obtaining a government laptop and provide some tips on how to make the most out of it. Keep reading to learn more about how I can get a free government laptop at resettips.

How can I get a government laptop?

To get a government laptop, you need to know someone. Legally, the laptops are distributed to federal and state employees and their families. But if you know someone eligible for a laptop transfer (e.g., your mother works at the Department of Transportation), they can give or sell one to you - no questions asked!

To obtain a government laptop, call up the individual you know and ask if they can get you one.

There's no natural process to follow when requesting a computer. You might think that you'll need to fill out some forms and go through an interview process; this is unnecessary! Just call your contact and let them know what laptop you would like.

Of course, it's always a good idea to ask why the laptop is being transferred and if it has any history of problems. If so, try to get this information from your contact's supervisor instead. After receiving the laptop from its original owner, please take it in for a system transfer (see below). This will ensure your laptop is in proper working order.

You'll need to meet a few requirements when having the computer transferred into your name. First, if you're under 18 years old, you will need to have a parent or guardian co-sign to purchase the computer. You can download the form here. Second, you'll need to know your laptop's serial number. This can be found on the base or rear of the machine, as shown below:

Finally, you need to know your laptop's Department of Defense ID (DOD ID). This is a sequence of seven characters used to identify your device. You can find the DOD ID in two places:

1. On your laptop, look at the barcode sticker located below the serial number (see above image). The DOD ID will be in the lower right corner of this sticker.

2. Alternatively, you can check your computer's properties by right-clicking "Computer" and choosing "Properties." Next, click "Hardware" and choose "Device Manager." Locate the device that says "Network controller" and click it. In the new window that pops up, look at the bottom-right corner of this box for your DOD ID.

Take your laptop into any Staples store to have a computer transferred from one user to another. An associate will take your computer to the backroom, wipe it clean of data, update its BIOS and software, and perform a system transfer. The updates will be downloaded from Microsoft's website and installed automatically - you don't need to do anything! 

Once the laptop has been returned to you, sign out of Windows (if you're asked for a password), and your computer will be ready to use.

This entire process should take about 10 minutes, so you'll only need to visit the store once. If asked for your Windows password during the system transfer, ask an associate for assistance. They can either help you choose a new password or remove it entirely (though this is not recommended).

Finally, remember that you're responsible for all data on your laptop. Make sure to back up any important files before you have them transferred!


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